cliff diminishes. >> i don't think there's going to be a grand bargain before the end of the year. there is hope a deal will be cut. >> reporter: if congress doesn't extend expiring tax cuts in just days, middle income owners will owe uncle sam about $2,000 extra a year. retailers will cut back in automotive, apparel and entertainment. >> once people begin to pull back on that, the effect will be dramatic. >> reporter: the national retailers association said retailer its support 1 in 4 american jobs and if the downward turn intensifies. for those, the wait is excruciating. president obama visited troops in hawaii over christmas after a frustrating week on capitol hill. he and speaker john boehner about $100 billion. >> the president was $200 billion in revenues. speaker boehner $100 billion in spending cuts. >> reporter: tough decisions ahead. six days left. and lawmakers are now saying they will likely address tax reforms and spending cuts in the new year when the debt ceiling debate gets going. reporting live in washington. i'm danielle leigh. richard, back to you. >> danielle, t